I have the strangest question. Stage 2 PBC Aug 2012 Does anyone have problems with their nails. Polish will not stay on.

[Ohio82]

[janey_babs]

I don't, but what medication are you on? I thought I had that problem but it turned out it was only a couple of polishes. My good ones are fine.

[Ohio82 in reply to janey_babs]

Which r your good ones

[Hidden]

Hello Ohio82.

I don't have a problem with any of my nails. I was diagnosed with PBC Dec 2010 after starting itching earlier 2010.

As soon as I had the first abnormal LFTs earlier 2010 I stopped having any alcohol (never bothered me as was never much of a drinker) and then I stopped doing certain things just in case.

Don't mean to be a killjoy but I ceased using nail varnish on my toes nails (used to use in summer) due to the chemicals in them (acetone is one). I've never worn make-up, just never bothered. I was a late starter with hair dyes (in my 30s - I am 49 currently) and even tho' I do still buy I am always a bit dubious due to certain chemicals that they can contain. (I have been buying a more expensive one that is considered much safer. Can get mail order with free delivery from a company I've used for years but then found out that Holland & Barratt here in the UK also sell it.)

I don't know why your nail polish won't stay on, that is a new one to me so sorry I cannot be of any help.

[GrittyReads in reply to Hidden]

Hi Peridot,

Can you tell me the name of the safer hair dye, please? (Email to me if you like - I don't know if we're not supposed to advertise on here). I'm in the process of investigating an alternative to run-of-the-mill hair dye. I used henna for years, but as my hair became too grey, I was advised to switch to chemicals ones, but really don't like using them. I know I will have to accept the grey at some time, but my hair colour is the thing I've always like most about my appearance, and want to spin it out for a few more years.

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to GrittyReads]

The site I have used for over 2 decades now for deodorants (always seemed to have a problem until I started buying mail order. Think due to the aluminium or maybe synthetic perfume), they sell hair colours, Tints of Nature. The site is Beauty Naturals. Just put in search and it should come up. They used to sell all Martha Hill products but have branched out a bit further. P&P in the UK is free and you often get money off coupons if you spend say over £25 (that I normally can get to - I buy pure Castile soap these days and use a bit in the bath), you can get a few extra pounds knocked off. I have used Tints of Nature, never had a problem. They do both semi and permanent colours.

The other hair colour Holland & Barratt sell is Naturtint. I tend to buy when they do the penny sale as then I get 2 for just over £10. I use the permanent ones and have had no problem. If you check out H&B site online you should find there.

If you have any problems or any other questions, feel free to message or reply on here.

[GrittyReads in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that! I'll check out both.

[operatic in reply to Hidden]

Peridot what deodorant do you buy?

[Hidden in reply to operatic]

It's usually Martha Hill on the Beauty Naturals site. You can also find other brands on there I've also never had a problem with like Toms of Maine. Further details are also posted on Gritty Reads reply I did. Anything else you want to ask please be free to message or post.

[mharib]

I don't have a problem keeping nail varnish on but I do have a problem with my nails I don't know if it the medication or pbc or maybe something different but my nails look weird it's hard to explain but they look like they have loads of lines running through them and that's without nail varnish on .

[GrittyReads in reply to mharib]

Hi mharib,

That's interesting. Vertical lines?? I have that too, but have ignored for years and years. Every so often someone will tell me it's a sign of this or that vitamin or mineral deficiency, but never the same one! My checking suggests that vertical ridges are not really a problem. I think horizontal ridges may need checking out, but again there can be different causes and many are not worrisome.

[Hidden in reply to mharib]

Do you know if you are magnesium deficient as that can cause brittle nails.

Other than that the only thing I can think of is that as we get older our nails change due to natural body processes like bone thinning after menopause. I can remember my late gran had more significantly noticeable lines running down her nails. I have very feint ones at the moment.

I know if you manage to cut or catch the skin where the cuticle is odd times you can damage the nail bed and then the nail grows with a slight bump until it reaches the tip.

My nails can become soft due to being forever in water and liquids but on the whole for someone who isn't far off age 50 and going thru the change I don't reckon they are in bad condition at all.

[Val02]

Hi I have big problems with my nails the last few years. I have also developed vertical lines, cracking, splitting etc.

In regards to your varnish problem - perhaps you could try a "prep" wipe before putting your varnish on, that might help?

[mharib]

Yes grittyreads there vertical lines I have had them for a long time also thanks for your reply

[Julez1961]

I have stage 4 PBC and my nails are so brittle its ridiculous! I am so happy with a product called Shellac it protects my nails from breaking. Without this I would have absolutely no nails at all. It makes me feel more normal!

[gizocsi]

I've also different changes on and in my nails, it's partly lack of several needed things, and the disorder of metabolism, as we of course don't work as a health person. Chineese med. uses nail for diagnostics, but I've read new studies on doing so in europ. med. too. I think felling nail polish is the smallest problem, though they look so ugly, that it would be nice to cover. I've chosen some vitamins on them instead. For hairs, I've read, that big percetage of pbc women were smokers who coloured their hair. Sad. I'm like that, though with hair not so much, but had to choose mainly the cheapest colours. Anyway, cheer up, girls! I try to concentrate on what I still have in order though it is in prognosis. Eg. brain still working, though of course not like 30 years ago I send You sunshine from brightly snowy Hungary!

[bev5779]

Yes ive had problems for about 6 yrs with my nails,, first the polish wouldnt stay on then they changed, really hard to explain but maybe thinner and lots of small lines running from cuticle to the end of the nail, these use to split which then caused it to bleed, was very sore then a friend suggested i had acrylic nails to see if that helped and ive had them ever since, i have new ones ever six weeks and im well know all over my town for the fancy art work i have on them,, hope this helps... Bev xx

[operatic]

I had vertical lines on finger nails and thick claw like yellow bent toenails whenmy liver enzymes were high but since taking urso aand they have come right down they have all returned to normal pink straight and smooth!!!!

[Magnolia]

I have one crazy thing that happened to me, not with the nails, but my makeup. Since I was 15 I had darker my eyebrows (I'm redheaded) with a powder applied with a brush. It looks more natural than a pencil. It will not go on my skin, and neither will the pencil, unless I practically scratch it on. Has anyone found this a problem?

[gizocsi]

YEEES, but we are supposed to be grey, unvisible AND enjoy it, it was an advice, I've got 2 years ago.

It works better for me if I put on a little more fat foundation/cream.